North Africa 1890-1914 Flashcards
British administration in Egypt 1890-1914: What problems did the British face in Egypt: Egypt was not technically ‘British’
- Egypt was not technically ‘British’ until 1914, when it officially became a protectorate. It was only under military occupation, which had originally been intended as temporary. Egypt still belonged to Turkey with the Sultan as the Khedive’s overlord. The British tried reaching agreement with sultan in 1887 by which they’d withdraw troops after 3 years. When this came to nothing in 1890, British largely ignored Turkish rights and Sultan didn’t interfere.
Problems the British faced in Egypt?: The Capitulations.
he Capitulations slowed down law-making regarding Europeans and in general. All foreigners in Egypt were granted privileges, once granted by Sultan, to protect Europeans from Muslim laws against Christians. E.g. a foreigner could claim right to be tried in his own country’s law courts. Any new Egyptian law affecting Europeans had to be approved by the governments of all countries represented in Egypt.
Problems Britain faced in Egypt?: The Caisse de la Dette
The Caisse de la Dette (which included Austria-Hungary, France, Germany, Russia, Italy as well as Britain) controlled Egypt’s finances. About ½ of the country’s revenue went to paying European bond-holders. Members of Caisse could prevent British Consul-General from spending Egypt’s money on matters they disapproved of - Cromer’s plans to use Egyptian money to finance the re-conquest of the Sudan were, for example, thwarted by Russia and France.
Problems facing Britain in Egypt? FRANCE?
The French, with their strong interest in Egypt posed a particular threat to British however:
- After Fashoda incident in 1898, the British and French grew closer and in 1904 signed an Entente Cordiale, by which French agreed to respect British special rights in Egypt for return of British recognition of French take-over of Morocco → Caisse de la Dette ceased to control Egyptian finances and became only a debt-collection agency for foreign bondholders.
Problems britain faced in Egypt? The Mixed Courts:
The Mixed Courts also, which had been set up to deal with cases involving both Egyptians and Europeans and were presided over by European and Egyptian judges, weren’t always supportive of British.
What benefits did the British bring economically and socially? Partially-elected govt:
- Egypt had a partially-elected parliament, consisting of an Advisory Council of Laws and a General Assembly – but all Egyptian government ministers had ‘support’ of a British adviser. If they resisted British advice or interference, they’d be dismissed. Number of Britons working in government in Egypt steadily increased. In 1885, there were only about 100, by 1905 there were over 1000.
How did Britain benefit egypt economically and socially? Baring// Isma’ill Pasha’s debt:
Consul-General Evelyn Baring helped wipe Isma’ili Pasha’s debt of £70 million and develop Egypt’s economy and infrastructure. Baring made cutbacks to Egypt’s military and bureaucracy, revitalised economy by improving communications and investing in irrigation schemes (carried out by British engineers, who’d worked on similar ones in India), improved conditions for Egyptian labourers and introduced better sanitation and health services in towns and stimulated cotton and sugar production.
Evidence of social/economic benefits of British administration?
- Within 10 years, exports of cotton and sugar had trebled and population had risen from 7 🡪 10 million.
- Baring oversaw rapid expansion of tourism. Thomas Cook & Son became Egypt’s largest employer – providing jobs in hotels, houseboats and excursions. Many wealthy enjoyed to ‘winter’ in Egypt. However, most were advised against mixing with locals.
- Example of irrigation system built was Aswan Dam. 18 metres high and ¼ of a mile long built to hold back waters of Nile. Cost £2 million, opened in 1902 and enabled ½ a million acres of former desert to be irrigated with water from its reservoir, enabling year-round cultivation.
What benefits did britain bring economically and socially to egypt? representation of Egyptians in govt?
Eldon Gorst, successor of Baring, brought more Egyptians into government to weaken national party. Kitchener in 1913 established new Legislative Assembly, replacing Advisory Council of Laws and General Assembly, consisting of greater number of elected members (66) and 17 appointed nominees (Egyptian > British). However, represented rich landowners > regular Egyptians.
How did Britain maintain interests in Egypt?: Reforming the Army/education/ law courts/ police
-Army: Baring reformed Egypt’s army, placing 6000 British troops within to ensure interests weren’t jeopardised by military or popular disturbances and placed under command of General Kitchener.
- Changes were made to law courts, police and education though Baring was sceptical extending educational opportunities since he’d seen growth of nationalist movements in India. (however) Egyptians were rarely offered more than a few years of elementary schooling and it wasn’t until 1909 that a new university was founded.
How did Britain maintain interests in Egypt?: censorship of Press:
Gorst imposed tighter censorship of press in 1909 and used various penal measures to quell growing nationalist within Egypt but never worked as German government provided funds to fuel anti-British sentiment.
How did britain maintain interests in egypt?: Legislative Assembly?
Kitchener established Legislative Assembly with British nominees, thus increasing dominance. Also, curbed nationalist sentiment in Sudan.
In what ways did the Egyptian Nationalists clash with the British? Growing middle-class nationalism?
By late 1890s, growing middle-class nationalist movement fuelled by newspapers which attacked British for failing to deal with corruption of Khedive’s government and for doing little to help Egypt’s poor. British failed to promote Egyptian cloth-making industry, providing jobs for unemployed, to keep Lancashire cloth-spinning industries alive. Nationalists also complained about lack of opportunities for educated Egyptians.
In what ways did the Egyptian Nationalists clash with the British?
National Party// secret society
A National Party formed in 1881 but revived in 1893 as secret society, attracting Egyptian lawyers and professionals, many educated in Egyptian and European establishments. Sought end of British occupation and own representative government. Cromer largely ignored demands but appointed an Egyptian as minister for Education.
In what ways did the Egyptian Nationalists clash with the British?
National Press//Denshawai incident
National press horrified by 1906 Denshawai incident, clash between British officers and Egyptian villagers where group of British officers angered residents by pigeon-shooting for sport, the pigeons being bred by villagers for food. Officer’s gun shot and hit a woman and Egyptians ran over the officers, killing them. 52 arrested, some being killed for murder and some serving hard labour → questioning of British rule.
